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7 life-changing childhood experiences in Australia

Some childhood holidays are remembered forever. A trip to Australia might be one of them. The astounding landscapes, amazing and accessible wildlife, achievable adventures and just plain fun to be had throughout Australia mean there is never a dull moment for travellers of all ages.

See the galaxy at Uluru

Uluru, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory

Australia's Red Centre is far from big city lights, making it an incredible place to see stars. Right beside the famous monolith of Uluru you can take an Astro Tour at Ayers Rock Resort. Use a telescope, binoculars and iPad technology to see constellations, star colours, planets and even the Milky Way from here, while learning about our place in the universe from the resort's resident astronomer. This family friendly experience is free for children under 15.

Meet wild dolphins at Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia, Western Australia

One of the most reliable locations in the world to interact with a wild dolphin close up, Monkey Mia draws both tourists and scientists to see its beautiful marine visitors. A pod of bottlenose dolphins swims up to this scenic spot, jutting out into the Indian Ocean from Western Australia's Coral Coast, up to three times every day. Park rangers supervise and help visitors feed fish to the dolphins in a free experience (apart from a small fee to enter the reserve). This marine wonderland also offers swimming with manta rays and whale watching for all visitors from five years of age.

Stay on an outback station

Bullara Station, Coral Coast, Western Australia

Experience Australian life in the bush on one of the country's cattle, sheep or even camel stations. They are just like farms but often on a very grand scale (for example Anna Creek Station in South Australia is larger than Israel and roughly the same size as Rwanda). Stations such as Goodwood Station and Pimpara Lake Station, both in outback New South Wales, offer the chance to stay in wool shearers' cottages, campsites, huts or lodges, and allow family visitors to help feed the animals, or try riding a camel or a horse. Bullara Station, near the town of Exmouth in Western Australia, even has an outdoor bathroom so you can shower under the stars. Bullara is located on the coastline of World Heritage Ningaloo Reef, one of the few places on earth where you can swim with whale sharks.

Find Nemo and Dory for real

Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

The impossibly vibrant fish and sea life of the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches 2600 kilometres (1615 miles) along the coast of Queensland, are famous with little movie fans worldwide, thanks to Hollywood. The residents of this natural wonder of the world are just as colourful in real life as one would hope, with adorable clownfish (Nemo) and blue tang fish (Dory) commonly seen throughout these warm waters. The smallest visitors might enjoy a glass-bottomed boat tour, available at many places along the Great Barrier Reef, including Green Island off Cairns. Older families can swim and snorkel from live-aboard boats such as Spirit of Freedom, which floats right over the reef on two, three and five night tours.

Walk the famous Larapinta Trail

Razorback Ridge, Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory

Perhaps Australia's most renowned walking trail, the 223 kilometre (139 mile) Larapinta Trail, which goes from the outback town of Alice Springs through the West MacDonnell Ranges, in Central Australia, may not seem like an obvious family holiday activity at first glance. However, several tour operators offer luxury guided multi-day hikes along the track. Take a three day to 14 day trek with World Expeditions and enjoy well-appointed semi-permanent campsites along the way.

Learn to surf in Byron Bay

Byron Bay, New South Wales

Experiencing Australia's beach culture of sand, surf and sunshine is a must on any visit, and surfers from all over the world are drawn to the particular beauty of Byron Bay, just over an hour's drive south from the Gold Coast. Beginners are welcome to try some time on a surfboard, with plenty of surf schools welcoming children and families for a single, fun taster lesson, or several, to really work on those skills. Operators such as Soul Surf School and Let's Go Surfing can teach children over seven years of age, or families wanting a lesson together. Surf’s up!

Bike down the mountain in Thredbo

Thredbo Pump Track, Thredbo, New South Wales

Thredbo, a Snowy Mountains resort in New South Wales, is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders, who love to cruise down the mountain's many ski trails. But over the warmer months (mid-November to 1 May), adventurers swap their snow gear for two wheels. The chairlift takes riders every day to the top of 25 kilometres (16 miles) of trails, including cross-country, downhill and BMX-style tracks. Hire a bike and sign up for lessons and tours at Thredbo MTB, practise on jumps and ladder bridges in Snowgums Skills Park or participate in a Freeriders day for kids aged 10 to 15.

Nothing says Australia quite like our outback. The open spaces that seem to stretch on forever tell the story of the exploration and development of our wide, brown land, and reflect Australia’s pioneering spirit and unique identity.

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